Is UC San Diego hard to get into?
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3 Answers
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With an acceptance rate of 26.7% for the class of 2028, the University of California San Diego is a relatively difficult university to enter. However, with a well-rounded profile and a good academic background, students can improve their chances of admission at UCSD
UC San Diego has a GPA requirement of 4.11 (on a scale of 4.29) and doesn't require its applicants to submit SAT/ACT scores. Thus, with an exceptional profile with an emphasis on active participation in co-curricular activities and an insightful college essay, one can secure enrollment in UCSD.
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The UCSD acceptance rate is low—UCSD is a competitive school for both in-state and out-of-state students. Because of the UCSD GPA requirements and the average GPA of admitted students, you must have a stellar academic record. You must also show yourself to be a dynamic, thoughtful individual.Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA. With a GPA of 3.9, UCSD requires you to be at the top of your class.
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The UC San Diego acceptance rate for international students is 25% for Fall 2023. The average GPA of first-year students is 4.11 - 4.29. This shows that the admission at UCSD are highly competitive for international students. To get admission to the university, students must have a qualifying GPA and good academic profile.
Check the list of High Acceptance Rate Universities in the USA
Similar Questions for you
When comparing UC San Diego with UC Berkeley, the final choice will be dependent on students. A few of the factors that may be responsible for the choice are location, tuition fees, career goals, scholarship availability etc. A comparison between these two universities is given below:
Particulars | UC Berkeley | UC San Diego |
|---|---|---|
Acceptance rate | 11% | Around 25% |
QS Rankings 2026 | #17 | #66 |
Annual tuition fees | INR 22.42 L - 73.42 L | INR 21.44 L - 67.63 L |
Popular courses | MS, MBA, MEng | MSc in CS, MSc in Data Science, and MBA |
Considering the acceptance rate and QS rankings, it can be said that UC Berkeley is more selective as compared to UC San Diego.
UCSD offers various career services such as dedicated career coaches, customized workshops and programs, career website with curates resources and content, access to Rady alumni and employers. The top employers of UC San Diego MBA Class of 2024 graduates were:
- Analog Devices
- Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Japan
- AGS
- Morgan Stanley
- Kearney (Japan)
- Engage Stack LLC
- YPOG
- EY-Parthenon
The placement rate of UCSD graduates was 72% (within 3 months of graduation). Top industries where the graduates were employed include Consulting, Financial Services, Healthcare, Technology, Manufacturing, Non-Profit / Education, etc.
University of California San Diego acceptance rate for international students stands at 22.4%, implying relatively tough competition for all international aspirants. It houses 3,891 international students as of 2025, welcoming several students from varying ethnic and racial backgrounds.
UCSD acceptance rate for international students may be lower than the overall admission rate; however, with an all-rounder profile, good academic credentials in high school, and a college essay that stands out, students can improve their chances of enrollment.
The total University of California San Diego for Non-California residents is USD 73,000 (Around INR 62.3 lakh). The fees for on-campus students are:
Particulars | Fees |
|---|---|
Tuition and fees | Around USD 21,375 |
Food & housing | USD 30,264 |
Books, course materials, supplies, & equipment | USD 696 |
Misc. personal expenses | USD 2,460 |
Transportation expenses | USD 3,813 |
Yes, UC San Diego is a Tier 1 university. This university has received a status of R1: Very High Research Activity. It is basically a leader in research and USD 1.73 billion sponsored research funding was there for FY24. Also, this university was ranked at 9th position in the world for the most highly cited / most influential researchers, according to Clarivate. Additionally, the university's research programme generated 400 new invention disclosures and over 90 new U.S. patents.
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